What’s new this summer on Maui and Oahu

Updated 1:48 pm, Friday, May 30, 2014

Photo: Jeanne Cooper, SFGate

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Saving the bay: The new conservation easement covering nearly 670 acres of undeveloped lands owned by Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore – about 80 percent of the property -- limits future growth near the existing hotel, which recently upgraded fixtures and furnishings in its 410 rooms and focuses on the local culture of surfing and farming.

Linking up: Couples don't have to be golfers to appreciate the new wedding venue at the Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa. The hotel's "Love on the Green" package includes a ceremony at the fifth hole on the Ka'anapali Golf Course's Royal Course, offering panoramic views of the Pacific and the islands of Lanai and Molokai.

Walk on waterfalls:Rappel Maui has brought the sport of canyoneering, also known as abseiling, to Hawaii. Rappel down two waterfalls — 50 feet and 30 feet tall — in a privately owned valley (seen in the original “Jurassic Park”), swim in the waterfalls’ pools and hike through the valley’s pristine rainforest on a six- to seven-hour adventure for $200 per person.

Walk on waterfalls:Rappel Maui has brought the sport of canyoneering, also known as abseiling, to Hawaii. Rappel down two waterfalls — 50 feet and 30 feet tall — in a privately owned valley (seen in the

Rocking on: With the help of renowned Utah rock climber Dave Black, who wrote “Canyoneering: A Guide to Wet and Dry Canyons” and helped train Maui guides such as Kahi Yap (pictured), Rappel Maui leads clients down two East Maui waterfalls in a secluded valley that’s otherwise inaccessible to the public. The new company, which emphasizes safety, is run by the former owners of longtime outfitter Hike Maui.

New hotel, vintage wines: Thanks to the recent opening of Montage Kapalua Bay, on the site of Maui’s former Kapalua Bay Hotel, the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival, June 12-15, will return to where the popular event began in 1981. The Grand Tasting will be held on the new hotel’s oceanfront lawn, featuring food from Kapalua Resort restaurants such as Merriman’s, the Plantation House, Kai Sushi at the Ritz-Carlton and the Pineapple Grill. New Zealand and Italy will be the focus of tasting seminars.

Crystal clear: The first spa in upcountry Maui opens June 1 in a coconut grove at Lumeria Maui, a boutique wellness resort halfway between Paia and Makawao. Among other services, the 5,000-square-foot Lumeria Crystal Spa will offer acupuncture, Ayurvedic therapies and innovative treatments based on the use of crystals—a signature design element at the luxurious retreat—and the use of locally sourced essential oils and skincare products.

Crystal clear: The first spa in upcountry Maui opens June 1 in a coconut grove at Lumeria Maui, a boutique wellness resort halfway between Paia and Makawao. Among other services, the 5,000-square-foot Lumeria

Pool pass: Clients of the new Lumeria Crystal Spa in upcountry Maui, opening June 1, will have access to the wellness resort’s saline pool (pictured), whirlpool, labyrinth, gardens and hammocks in a forest. A complimentary yoga class is included before or after the client’s spa treatment.

Pool pass: Clients of the new Lumeria Crystal Spa in upcountry Maui, opening June 1, will have access to the wellness resort’s saline pool (pictured), whirlpool, labyrinth, gardens and hammocks in a forest.

Fresh approach to feasting: One of Maui’s newer food festivals, Ka‘anapali Fresh, returns for a third incarnation Aug. 29-31 with new events such as the ‘Aha‘aina O Ka‘anapali ($89). The Aug. 29 feast at the Westin Maui Resort & Spa begins on the beach with the arrival of outrigger canoes and a traditional Hawaiian welcome ceremony, and then showcases three phases of island cuisine: Old Hawaii (e.g. taro, fish, seaweed); Golden Era (beef, pineapple, pork); and Modern Hawaii (Hawaii Regional Cuisine).

Uber luxurious: Book a stay in one of the oceanfront or residential suites at the Four Seasons Resort Maui and you won’t have to worry about your ride to and from the airport. The trip begins with a lift to your departure airport via Uber; an environmentally friendly Tesla or private SUV will shuttle guests from the Kahului airport to the Wailea resort.

Uber luxurious: Book a stay in one of the oceanfront or residential suites at the Four Seasons Resort Maui and you won’t have to worry about your ride to and from the airport. The trip begins with a lift to

The suite life: The Four Seasons Resort Maui’s new Complete Suite Experience package includes round-trip shuttle service to and from guests’ departure airport as well as from Kahului; daily breakfast; complimentary laundry service, Wi-Fi and valet parking; and of course, plenty of room to relax --the resort boasts the island’s largest hotel bathrooms. Prices for a one-bedroom, two-bath1,400-square-foot oceanfront suite start at a mere $2,900.

Shopping shuttle: The Outlets of Maui now offers a shuttle to and from Lahaina and Ka‘anapali, with a free coupon book with ticket purchase ($2). The hourly service begins at 10am at Aston Ka‘anapali Shores and stops at Honua Kai Resort, Royal Lahaina Resort, Sheraton Maui Resort, Ka‘anapali Beach Hotel, Marriott’s Maui Ocean Club, the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Lahaina Harbor before arriving at the Outlets of Maui on Front Street at 10:47 a.m. The last return shuttle departs the Outlets of Maui – home to Coach, Adidas, Michael Kors, Lucky Brand and more than 20 other retailers and restaurants – at 9:47 p.m.

Shopping shuttle: The Outlets of Maui now offers a shuttle to and from Lahaina and Ka‘anapali, with a free coupon book with ticket purchase ($2). The hourly service begins at 10am at Aston Ka‘anapali Shores

Bike at Waikiki: Joie de Vivre’s Shoreline Hotel and Coconut Waikiki Hotel are launching a Waikiki Car-Free Vacation Campaign in June with a two-night package for two ($868) that includes accommodations, a Joie de Vivre-customized Pedal Bike Tours excursion, two-day bike rentals and reimbursement for airport transfers using Eco Cab Hawaii.

Bike at Waikiki: Joie de Vivre’s Shoreline Hotel and Coconut Waikiki Hotel are launching a Waikiki Car-Free Vacation Campaign in June with a two-night package for two ($868) that includes accommodations, a

Horsing around: The 67-room Equus Hotel in Waikiki celebrates the Year of the Horse this summer with a special package that include a private oceanfront trail ride or polo lesson at the Hawaii Polo Club on Oahu’s North Shore and two tickets to a polo match at the 100-acre oceanside club. Polo season runs through Labor Day. Rates start at $134 a night; guests provide their own transportation to the North Shore.

Horsing around: The 67-room Equus Hotel in Waikiki celebrates the Year of the Horse this summer with a special package that include a private oceanfront trail ride or polo lesson at the Hawaii Polo Club on

Hawaii's peak summer travel period is about to begin, and as usual, the most popular islands of Oahu and Maui have developed plenty of new packages and programs for visitors. But the best news may be what hasn't – and won't – be developed, at least not to the extent originally feared. Earlier this month, Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed into law a bill establishing a conservation easement to preserve 665.8 acres of undeveloped land owned by Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's scenic North Shore.

After years of contentious discussions, the parties involved agreed on a $48.5 million easement covering nearly 79 percent of Turtle Bay Resort's open space. The state provided $40 million, the city and county of Honolulu anted up $5 million and The Trust for Public Land paid $3.5 million to make it happen.

Turtle Bay Resort agreed to limit its rights to develop hotel and housing units to 20 percent of what the original zoning allowed. It now plans to eventually build two new full-service hotels, totaling 625 rooms, near its existing (and recently renovated) hotel, along with 100 resort residential homes on its Kahuku side — less than one-seventh of the total homes proposed previously.

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While not as dramatic as this historic conservation easement, other travel news from Maui and Oahu also has an eco-friendly element, from reducing traffic to supporting local farmers, or celebrates the truly great outdoors of Hawaii. See the accompanying gallery for details.

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